Dawtas of the Moon: Embracing the Black Witch

Q: So, I know there are a few folks involved in Dawtas of the Moon. Can we get a quick introduction of everyone?

Dawtas of the Moon is a collaboration with Divine Waters (Mama Omi), Magic Moja (Lola, Selissa, and Bree), and MoonLit Journeys ( An L. Kenion ).

(Bios below)

Q: Ok, now that we know who y'all are, tell us about this convention! What is Dawtas of the Moon?

The Dawtas of the Moon was created to provide women of color who identify as witches to have a safe place to understand and practice their craft with sisters of like minds. Black Witches are often put in positions to practice with those they cannot identify with culturally, spiritually and emotionally. Practicing witchcraft is a spiritual journey that often leads the practitioner on a journey of deep self-healing which can be stagnated by not having a support system. Black women have a unique journey and the benefit of connecting with other black women is powerful.

Q: What inspired you all to create this convention for Black witches?

MO: I had a dream. My dream had me surrounded by a group of elder women. Some were familiar to me while others were not. I was approached by one who let me know “It is time!” After sharing the information and divining on it, we moved forward.

Magic Moja: We have always felt like there was a need for melanated women to come together for healing, support, sharing, and manifestation. There is no shame in honoring your ancestral gifts. Other cultures are free to express themselves. We have been feeling this tug on our spirits for some time now. The beginning of this year, we all had dreams about stepping into our power, embracing our gifts, and exploring the word/identity “witch” and its associations.

Q: You all probably have different definitions, but how do you understand the identity of "witch"? What does it mean to be a witch?

MO: For many women, identifying as a witch is less about what is considered in the mainstream and more about reconnecting with the ancestral lineage. It means connecting to ancient wisdom of healing self, family, and community.

MS: Witch is the healer, seer and glue that holds the community together. Now that she has been ostracized, murdered, and alienated, our communities are failing.

Magic Moja: The word “Witch” is a European word but it has an African origin that goes back to Kemet. Although there is a lot stigma associated with the "witch" label/identity, it is what most people are familiar with. However, there are a lot of words are used interchangeably such as healer, spiritualist, mystics, conjurer, priestess, magician, etc, even though there might be specific differences. To us, the word Witch means the Original Woman who is in tune with nature, the universe and her ancestors, which is ultimately herself.

Q: Have you all seen an increase in black people who are identifying as witches and/or embracing more ancestral/ indigenous spiritualities and healing modalities? If so, what do you think has motivated this "trend.”

MS: Yes and no. Some are going to traditional practices such as IFA, Vodoun, Santeria, etc or they are naturally practicing, but have no label because they don’t know or are too scared to label themselves.

Magic Moja: Yes we have seen an increase. We think there are a few things. For one you see our sisters coming back to themselves or discovering themselves. Many are going natural (embracing their natural hair) and during that process something awakens. We are raising our vibration, which causes them to question for the first time in their life. Now, there is an interest in cleaning up the diet, connecting more with nature, eliminating chemicals, and many women are leaving the church because they no longer need the programming of religion. There is more self-love. The energy of these times are supporting the transformation. Many black women are embracing self-love and their culture and naturally that makes them want to embrace African spirituality.

Q: What is the significance of Black people practicing religious or spiritual traditions that are rooted in and reflect their culture and ancestry?

MS: It feeds the soul. It brings back harmony to your spirit. It just makes you feel that you have a place in this world.

MO: I have too many sistas coming to me and telling me that they want to leave Christianity because it’s not feeding their spirit. They tell me about their depression, loneliness, and just down right out of place. Many women are identifying and connecting to that call for more and it is driving them to investigate paths that have more of a cultural significance.

Magic Moja: There is an urge for us to connect to our roots. We know that alot of things are just not working for us anymore. Its like many of us have been running away from who we are and now were coming back home.

Q: What do you all want attendees to receive or to take away from Dawtas of the Moon? What is the intention of creating this space?

MS: They have a place. They are worthy. They are magickal. They are WITCHES.

MO: To know they are not alone.

Magic Moja: That the bond of sisterhood can exist and that it will become a foundation for something powerful and much more.

Q: How can people get involved and support Dawtas of the Moon?

MS: Spread the word. Share it on your timelines. Let family and friends know. Purchase a ticket. Listen to the radio show. Lastly, feel free to contact us on social media under Dawtas of the Moon or email us at dawtasofthemoon@gmail.com

An L Kenion aka MoonLight Star of MoonLit Journeys. A woman. mother. daughter. sister. healer. shaman. diviner. seer. oracle. wellness seeker. crystal finder. intuitive. lover. sage. star traveler. time bender. galaxy resident. mystic. MoonLight is a spiritually led woman whom straddles the realms of light and dark. She gazes through the blinding light and sees clearly through the shadows of darkness. Through her own spiritual healing she has been able to pull from all sources to assist others on their designated path. She is born from a long line of spiritual workers: seers, sages, medicine women, oracles, diviners, hoodoo practitioners.

Omitola Ogunsina aka Mama Omi of Divine Waters. She is an aborisha (worshiper of the Orisa) in the spiritual tradition of Ifa from the Yoruba people of West Africa. She is the daughter of Yemonja and Obatala and is on the path to becoming a priestess of Yemonja. Mama Omi is a womb healer, diviner, doula, meditation teacher, Reiki Master, massage therapist and herbalist. Mama Omi is currently working on her PhD in Metaphysics through University of Sedona.

Magic Moja is comprised of Lola, Selissa, and Bree. Magic Moja is an initiative created by three women through the guidance of our ancestors. Selissa is the Aunt. Lola and Bree are Mother and Daughter. We come from a bloodline of healers, spiritualists and hoodoo practitioners. Moja (pronounced "Moy-ya" is Swahili for ONE. We are here to assist in the reawakening of the Divine Feminine in melanated women. By doing so this also helps to heal and uplift our melanated men to the Divine Masculine. We want our people to be balanced on an emotional, mental, social, physical and spiritual level through the restoration and practice of ancient African principles. We don't want to just merely survive. In this world it is our birthright to thrive. We are one with the ancestors and our men and women must be one with each other.